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Rubbing damp underwear with chapped fingers

I recently visited a strip club where I ended up getting a lap dance from a girl there. For a couple of minutes, I rubbed the outside of the her vagina with her underwear on the entire time. Her panties were initially dry, but they became a little damp by the time I stopped rubbing. I would not say they were "soaked" or very wet. I could "sense" the dampness with my fingers, but they didn't really feel wet while I was rubbing.

I realized after the dance that my fingers were chapped from the dry cold winter, and I had a crack that was about about 5mm long, a little red and deep. When I pull the cracked skin apart on my finger, I see red skin below but no bleeding.

As the girl and I talked some more, it sounds like might have been involved in some risky sexual activity, but I don't know her status.

Is it possible that if she were HIV positive that vaginal fluids containing the virus could make it through her underwear, into my cracked skin, and put me at risk?

Do I need PEP in this situation?

Answer:

Hello,

Thank you for your inquiry. From what we gather from the question, you were asking about whether you are at a risk of acquiring HIV from possible seepage of vaginal fluid through the underwear coming in contact with your chapped fingers.

From the information given, this scenario is determined to be No Risk. Transmission of HIV is not possible with the given scenario.(No exchange of bodily fluids)
For a risk to exist, specific HIV+ fluids must come into direct contact with the blood stream of an HIV- person. Only some body fluids contain enough HIV to pass the virus sexually (semen, pre-cum,vaginal fluid, rectal fluid) Wet skin or mucous membranes is more vulnerable to HIV.
These include: Foreskin and urethra in penis, Cervix & vagina, Anus & Rectum, Mouth & Throat, Open cuts/sores.

In the above mentioned scenario, the chances of vaginal fluid coming in contact with your finger is low since it was protected by a piece of clothing. Also, the crack on your finger is small, not open and not actively bleeding so essentially there is no risk.
PEP needs to be started within 2-72 hours, but ideally before 36 hours. It needs to be taken under medical supervision and follow up care is necessary. However, in this scenario PEP is not advisable. If you are continuously engaging in high risk activity then biomedical approaches such as PrEP and PEP can help lower your risk of acquiring HIV.

Recommendation: No need for HIV test with the scenario provided, refer to a physician for other health related questions.
Regards,
AIDS Vancouver Helpline/Online, (Vardah)

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